Croatia Travel Guide - Plan Your Visit to Croatia

With roots dating back to the 6th century, Dubrovnik is often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and serves as the lively heart of Croatia’s southernmost county. The Dubrovnik - Neretva county ("Dubrovačko-Neretvanska županija") is the southermost Croatian county with an area of 1782 km2. It consists of Dubrovnik and its surrounding (south to Montenegro and north to Pelješac), Pelješac penninsula, Korčula island, Lastovo island, Mljet island and the Elaphites, the Neretva Delta and Baćina lakes and a part of the hinterland near the south slopes of Biokovo.

Think medieval stone towns, vineyard-covered slopes, island-speckled seas and some of the country’s most dramatic coastal scenery - all within a few hours of Dubrovnik itself.

The Split region is the heart of Central Dalmatia, centred on the Roman city of Split and stretching along a coastline of islands, beaches and historic towns. Here you can wander UNESCO-listed palace streets in the morning and be swimming off an island beach by the afternoon.

With over a thousand islands scattered along the Croatian coast, turquoise bays framed by the Dinaric Alps and easy access via Split’s ferry port and Split Airport, this is where many of my Croatia trips begin, and somehow, it’s always the place where I end up staying longer than I planned.

Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital, sits at the heart of a green inland region dotted with medieval castles, spa towns and rolling wine hills. Unlike the Adriatic coast, Central Croatia feels more Middle European, think baroque town squares, wooden country houses and forested hillsides. Yet, it’s just as rich in history, culture and good food.

Base yourself in Zagreb and it’s easy to explore the wider region on relaxed day trips by car, bus or organised tour, from fairy-tale Trakošćan Castle and baroque Varaždin to the Neanderthal heritage of Krapina and the café-lined streets of Samobor.

The Zadar Region roughly corresponds to Zadar County, one of Croatia’s 21 counties, stretching from the Nin and Biograd rivieras to the island of Pag and the Velebit foothills. Today the region is best known for its UNESCO-listed city walls, island-dotted coastline and easy access to three spectacular national parks - Paklenica, Krka and Plitvice Lakes.

Set between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Istria is Croatia’s green, heart-shaped peninsula where fishing villages, Venetian-style seaside towns and medieval hilltop villages all sit within an easy drive of each other. The coastal town of Rovinj is often called one of the most beautiful places in Croatia and makes an ideal base for exploring.

Istria is famous for its red soil, vineyards, olive groves and truffle-rich forests, earning it a reputation as the "new Tuscany". Yet it still feels relaxed and low-key, with local konobas (small family owned restaurants), family-run wineries and quiet country roads leading to viewpoints, beaches and tiny stone villages.

If any stretch of the Adriatic can claim to combine waterfalls, islands and UNESCO heritage in one compact area, it’s the Šibenik Region in central Dalmatia.

Here you’ll find over 240 islands, islets and reefs, the stark beauty of the Kornati archipelago and the famous waterfalls, lakes and walking trails of Krka National Park, all centred around the historic stone city of Šibenik on Croatia’s coast.

The landscape of dreams roughly bounded by the Velebit and Pljesevica mountains, a traditional rural area with developed farming that boasts with two National parks - Plitvice Lakes and Sjeverni Velebit.

10 localities in Croatia are part of UNESCO List of World Heritage sites. Plitvice Lakes is Croatia's best known national park.

Slavonia holds raw beauty worthy of exploration and immense admiration.

The cultural heritage, traditional music and cuisine of Slavonia are a blend of historical influences making it quite distinct. Also known as The Golden Valley for both wheat growing and wine growing, including the famous Kutjevo wine growing district.